Wolves' Matt Doherty: Let's prove ourselves again

The Irishman was a youngster with Wolves when they were last in the top flight back in 2012 but is now a key part of Nuno Espirito Santo's first team.

The 26-year-old is confident Wolves can make a big impression in the Premier League.

"I tell you what I cannot wait for the start," he told the Express & Star. "You're getting impatient even now.

"All of us have to prove ourselves. We had an unbelievable season last season and we're very confident still now.

"We've got to try and take that into next season but not be over-confident with it. We have to respect that we're going into a higher standard of league.

"I assume we want as strong a squad as possible and I'd expect a few more additions.

"I expect us to compete against all teams and do well."

Wolves take on Swiss champions Young Boys tomorrow and will lift some pre-season silverware in the form of the Uhrencup if they win.

Doherty bagged an assist during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Basel says the tough opposition – with Ajax to follow back in England next week – will set Wolves up nicely for their Premier League campaign.

"It was a decent run-out against Basel," he said. "We played on Saturday (a practice game against Xamax), that was a tough 45 minutes. It was a spongy, big pitch and we needed it.

"I'm grateful it happened because going into Basel we felt better and I think it showed.

"Basel are four weeks ahead of us and I thought we were the better team. It shows the lads have done their work over the summer.

"Usually in pre-season we've played against lower league opposition. The better opposition will only put us in good stead for the first game of the season. We'll be ready."

It's been a week of hard work for the players in glorious surroundings in Switzerland.

The players have still had time to take in the World Cup of course, although Doherty remained neutral during England's semi final defeat to Croatia when the players watched it together on Wednesday.

"It was a decent game, Croatia were good, the spine of their team is solid. I think they deserved it just about but I wasn't saying that to the lads!

"I was completely neutral. Willy Boly was very happy to see France in the final, he was saying "it's coming home" in French!

"We've got nice views here, if you like that kind of thing. Me personally I'm in my room most of the time watching the tennis or whatever!

"We're being well looked after. It's definitely a step up and shows how things are going.

"It's the type of stuff you want and it's up to us to follow it up with performances.

"During the summer we obviously went on a well documented trip to Vegas, I went to Portugal to play some golf with George Saville, James Henry and one of my mates, then to Greece with the missus and kids.

"After a hectic Vegas it was laid back and relaxed. And I was away with Ireland as well. It's probably a good thing, I can put weight easily over the summer and I'm the kind of guy that needs to be doing something constantly.

"I guess I've grown out of the partying scene! Things change when you have a child."